Authored by Pete Hawkins:
Chameleon Network, Bearded Dragons Network, Snake Network, Gecko Network, Amphibian Network, Tortoise Network
Voted winner of Reptile Report’s Readers Choice ‘Lizard Personality of the Year’ 2016
The Rare Normal
Today, an almost seminal “pick n mix” assortment of reptile morphs have been bred in captivity
Since I first kept my very first reptile 30+ years ago now. But more so over the past 10 to 15 years, I’ve seen many changes within herpetoculture. None more so than the ever increasing variety of species morphs or mutations to almost all Reptiles kept in captivity. Also, many Amphibians, too.
Reptile Genetics
What does it mean, and how does it happen?
Colour polymorphism has been defined as the presence of two or more distinct genetically determined colour morphs, within a single interbreeding population. Today, an almost seminal “pick n mix” assortment of reptile morphs have been bred in captivity, many of these are prized by collectors. This of course makes creating morphs a big money business for some breeders. But in nature, animals outside the norm in regard to colour and pattern stand little chance of survival. Here I want to talk about the most common genetic modification I witness within my Facebook ‘Network’ groups.
The Silkback Bearded Dragon
This genetically inferior morph of Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) rings close to my heart, which I now actively discourage anyone from keeping.
Silkback Bearded Dragon & inherent problems
*courtesy of YouTube*
Having taken in a couple of Silkback dragons in the past. This genetically inferior morph of Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) rings close to my heart, which I now actively discourage anyone from keeping. The whole breeding and life process for such a genetic modification is a traumatic one for the dragon. One of the main dangers is due to the often violent mating behaviour of a male bearded dragon (P. vitticeps). Neck biting and leg biting are common breeding behaviours. Silkback dragon skin is not like a normal dragons skin. It is 100% scaleless. This means their skin is thinner and unprotected. Not at all scaled and pointed like their original armour. A female Silkback is more likely to sustain substantial injuries due to this.
It is now commonplace within the hobby, to inbreed in order to continue the bloodlines of these ‘leatherbacks’ and ‘silkbacks’ which has caused many issues with sick and poorly developed bearded dragons.
How is a Silkback dragon produced?
The main and most humane method would be, taking a male and female Leatherback dragon and pairing them up. This can produce silkback babies. A leatherback dragon has reduced scale formation on their body. Generally along the dorsal (back) area. In my research, the leatherback gene was not caused by mass inbreeding as many still state. Originally it was, a birth defect or mutation.
A genetic mutation developing during the embryonic stage. The leatherback gene is known as a ‘co-dominant’ gene. This means, if you breed a normal dragon with a leatherback. You will still always get leatherbacks. You breed two leatherbacks together, you’ll often get silkbacks as well as some leatherbacks. Check out this genetic bearded dragon calculator for more information.
Natural Protection
Make Sure you get my good side.
Normal Bearded Dragon scalation provides protection they have evolved over millennia. This tough, spiky, pimpled keratin based armour, not only provides a protective layer against predators. But also to the extreme conditions of their natural habitat. It’s a natural protection against the intense heat and of course, the extreme ultraviolet exposure.
Enclosure Design
The same goes for our properly designed enclosures. If you follow my work, you will see I aim to promote a natural enriching environment. Using the best tech and methods available. One of the most important pieces of technology being, our UVB tubes. For a dragon, I will always recommend an Arcadia 12% T5
We must provide substandard conditions which in turn, can cause further issues.
Major issues are often around the eyes, in my experience the eyelids can get stuck causing inflammation and infection.
Shedding
Reptile moprhs like the Silkback Bearded Dragon have numerous issues shedding. Courtesy of Megan Aubrey.
Our Dragons skin is a 100% waterproof keratin based protein. Tough and durable. Fully designed to keep water and moisture IN. When it comes to shedding the process is more often than not a very simple one. Let nature take its course.
Do nothing. They instinctively know what to do. This involves rubbing up and down the various textures
The naturally instinctive method of rubbing on the set-ups various textures can cause issues. I’ve witnessed cuts, grazes, scrapes, and swelling. All from a silkback naturally trying to do what it must to rid itself of its skin. All because its skin lacks its natural firmness. The natural scaled protection has been replaced with a thinner, softer, delicate skin. It will easily rip. Major issues are often around the eyes. The eyelids especially can get stuck. Thus causing inflammation and infection. It’s common practice for a silkback keeper to “moisturise” their silkbacks skin. When I’ve kept them in the past, I used mainly Aloe and Coconut oils
Basking:
This seems to be the most debated topic. As the majority of keepers still use the 40c basking spot temp with their silkbacks. But I know a few who do use a cooler 35c. Reason being, silkback dragons will dehydrate far quicker than their normal cousins.
Due to their thinner, poorly protected skin. Some keepers bathe their silkback, for a good 20 min per day hoping to hydrate the dragon. As you may or may not know; if you have read my previous article within this site, or via ‘Practical Reptile Keeping’ magazine. A dragon will only hydrate in the bath.
If the water is taken in orally (via the mouth). No water gets through their skin. Again, this is a 100% waterproof keratin.
Keratin is ‘designed’ to keep water in.
They certainly do NOT hydrate via the cloaca (vent). A myth long since busted. Last year I had discussions with ‘The Reptile Doctor’ on Facebook regarding this very subject. I shared my research data regarding this, with him. After running his tests and combining the data I shared the results were conclusive.
Bearded dragons do not drink through their vent (pers comment). Although these tests have not been done on the silkback dragon morph. It would be a safe bet to take the same results, until proven otherwise. So many species are purchased for the colours now days. Or, because they look cool. Its having a huge effect on the hobby.
My Advice on Morphs
This scalation morph provides little protection in a natural environment. Photo Courtesy of Emily Stahl
I have seen so much hurt and pain. All from issues regarding the silkback dragons morph. We will inevitably get issues no matter the gender, morph or species. It’s a natural process of life with all living things. The genetics are not always favorable ones. Listed above are just some of the issues found in this dragon morph.
In the pursuit of various colors and markings these dragons have lost the ability to live as nature intended them. In conditions which they have evolved over millions of years. They are genetically altered and left physically incapable of surviving in natural conditions comfortably.
So we must alter the keeping method to facilitate this issue. Which in-turn, due to substandard methods required to prevent injury being vastly different from what is naturally required (heat, uvb, etc). This can and does often cause pain and discomfort, through the lack of efficient and species specific needed exposure to heat and uvb. Now, you may well have a silkback dragon, you may be doing great with it. This will be because of the care, time, and research done regarding the needs of such a dragon.
Unfortunately this is far from the norm. So many species are purchased for the colours today, or because they look cool. It’s having a huge impact on the hobby and specifically reptile rescue organizations. Breeders are producing these reptile morphs because there is a demand. Which means higher costs for the more rare morphs when compared to a normal, As the old saying goes ‘Follow the money’. These breeders (not all by any means) are often accused of having little care about the impact of the morph, and the subsequent effects on the quality of life the animal will endure. This leads to ‘watered down’, weak genetics within many of our beloved reptile species. Thus resulting in sick or in extreme cases, handicapped reptiles.
Defective Morphs
With morph defects causing so many problems.
If you want to purchase one of these ‘morphs’. So be it. Just be prepared for likely issues.
Another example of defective reptile morph would be the Royal Python Spider morph, this morph has a known neurological issue known as head wobble. The Enigma morph of Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius). This morph can have defects such as head arching, spinning, shaking, and general equilibrium issues. I will continue within my groups to discourage people from owning one of these. This I hope can reduce the need for breeders to produce such genetically inferior species. Let’s start to encourage the rise of beautiful genetically unmodified dragons. I find it disappointing when the genetically typical of any species is far less common than its morphed cousin.
It’s unfortunate that–in an era where our technology, health, diet and overall knowledge about keeping reptiles has never been better–we allow the genetics of many species to be altered so much for our own greed and incapability to appreciate life as it is that we are willing to risk potential handicaps as well as shortened lifespans.